A water-bearing electrical apparatus having a water absorption element and an electrochemical cell which has a cathode arranged in a cathode space and an anode arranged in an anode space, which are spatially separated, wherein the electrochemical cell is designed to generate an alkaline partial solution in the cathode space and an acidic partial solution in the anode space when it contains a conductivity transmitter-containing medium and the DC voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode, and to heat a fluid located in the cathode and anode spaces when the AC voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode. A method includes generating an alkaline partial solution in the cathode space and an acidic partial solution in the anode space while applying DC voltage, applying AC voltage to heat fluid in the electrochemical cell, and conveying the alkaline partial solution into the water absorption element.